Gwenllian Morgan
9th April 1852 – 7th November 1939
“One of the brightest stars ever to shine in Breconshire’s skies. The woman who, by becoming the first Welsh Woman Councillor, opened the portals of public life to the remainder of the women of Wales.” - Elsie Pritchard
Gwenllian Elizabeth Fanny Morgan was born at Penpentre, Defynnog 9th April 1852. Daughter of The Rev. Phillip Howell Morgan, curate at Penpont, later at Battle and Rector of Llanhamlach. Growing up in rural settings meant that Gwenllian Morgan was acutely aware of a sense of care and support within close knit communities, something she carried forward when she moved into Brecon after her father’s death in 1868 and resided at 2 Buckingham Place with her mother Margaret and sister Ellen, affectionately known as Nellie.
Gwenllian had a love of learning and research. She was an antiquary and published books about her areas of study. She had a major interest in the history of her town and the county. Soon proving herself as a reputable antiquarian, she was a highly regarded historian and accomplished writer, and was regularly asked for contributions and advice which she was more than happy to provide. Gwenllian contributed articles to numerous publications, including “The Parish Magazine”, “The County Times” and “Old Wales” - a monthly magazine of antiquities for Wales and The Borders, edited by W.R.Williams of Talybont on Usk. A subject particularly close to her heart was the life of Henry Vaughan, a Breconshire born Poet.
She was an incredibly selfless woman, devoted to benefiting others and helping those in need, even offering those living in poverty financial assistance out of her own pocket. She gained the trust of the working class and they trusted there would be no false promises from Gwenllian Morgan. She understood the hardships people faced and treated them with kindness and understanding and showed a willingness to help. She was inconceivably dedicated in wanting to improve their situation and she was passionate about children receiving a good education. She volunteered her services to practically every branch of Social work in the county of Brecon, dealt with public affairs and was a member of a long list of committees.
Gwenllian was born at a time when with very few exceptions, women were considered inferior to men. Their purpose was to run the household and bear children - men were the breadwinners and any woman who sought to live any other way was met with great obstacles and deeply frowned upon. Gwenllian was determined to break free from these boundaries and pave the way for women to express themselves, be valued and have more opportunities. She led by example and was an avid campaigner for Women’s rights and was active in her work for women generally particularly on political and suffrage lines. She was British Secretary for the World Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and superintendent of Petitions and Treaties. She was a White Ribbon worker and President of the Brecon Branch of The National British Women’s Temperance Association. She also organised the Polyglot Petition work in Great Britain and Ireland.
In the early 20th Century, an act was passed that meant for the first time women were eligible to stand for local government. The people of Brecon saw a suitable candidate in Gwenllian Morgan after seeing how successful she had been in various fields previously. In 1907, a large number of local people from different classes, backgrounds and of varying opinions signed a letter of request calling for Gwenllian to contest an election seat. It was practically unheard of for a woman to do so but she was an incredibly courageous woman who took on the challenge and won. She was the first woman in Wales to be elected to take part in local government and serve on a borough council. This was a triumph and a pivotal moment in history for the future progression of women in society. In 1910, the opportunity of Mayor presented itself, however if fellow members of the council could have found a way of preventing her becoming Mayor they would have. Councillor C.W. Best said “The advancement of women to such positions was not to the advantage of the community or to the advantage of womanhood itself”. There was no means by which the council members could stop Gwenllian Morgan, and in a momentous victory for women everywhere, she became the first woman not only in Brecon but in the whole of Wales to fill the Mayoral Office from 1910-11. She was mayor for Coronation year, as King George V was crowned in 1911. Every Mayor was invited to the Coronation but Gwenllian Morgan, loyal to the Brecon community, chose to stay at home and provide entertainment especially for the local children and mark the occasion with her people. Gwenllian repeatedly expressed how grateful she was to her sister Nellie who took over the running of the household when their mother passed away so that Gwenllian could focus on outside affairs and make all of her achievements more possible. Nellie served as Mayoress during Gwenllian’s time in office.
The way in which Gwenllian took on the role, conducted her mayoral duties and committed to benefiting the community impressed the people of Brecon more than ever. No sacrifice was too great for her to make to enhance the welfare of her fellow citizens. By the end of Gwenllian’s Mayoral Year, there was an overwhelming feeling that the people’s appreciation must be communicated to her. She had given the women of Brecon a voice and both as a marker of this and to give thanks, over 900 women came together to pay to commission Artist Isaac Cooke to paint a portrait of her in oils. This was to be presented to her along with an illuminated address at The Guildhall, Brecon. No men at all were allowed to contribute. On the day of the presentation the hall was packed from floor to gallery and many more failed to get in. The painting is still part of the Brecon Town Council’s collection and hangs in The Guildhall today, marking a key moment in the history of Brecon and reminding people of the huge impact Gwenllian Morgan had on life not only in Brecon but in the country going forward. She was successfully enabling women to grow, to be taken more seriously and for their strength and capabilities to be realised amongst male counterparts.
Gwenllian was a very modest woman. She expressed her gratitude for the address but stated she did not deserve the honour. Although having a female mayor in 1910 was a first for its time, this was local politics. It is worth noting that Westminster and the right to vote were still completely barred to women at this time and her work was undoubtedly a catalyst in that changing later on in 1918. Another 11 years went by before she ceased to be a Member of the Council - by this time she would have been 71 years old.
Her family has always been associated with the work of the Church and in 1920, Gwenllian Morgan was appointed Church Warden of the Priory Church (The Priory Church of St John the Evangelist became the Cathedral of the new Diocese of Swansea and Brecon in 1923). This was another victory for women everywhere as women Church Wardens were few and far between in those days. She was also the first Friend of Brecon Cathedral. Whatever projects she was working on or engagements needed to be attended to before, during and after her time as Mayor, her devotion to the Cathedral never lessened. She wrote extensively about the Cathedral and even wrote a guidebook and delivered lectures. She was a complete master of the subject.
The University of Wales awarded Gwenllian Morgan, “a woman of wide culture and pronounced literary gifts” with an honorary MA degree in 1925 for her valuable research into the life of Henry Vaughan but also acknowledged her work in and dedication to the county of Brecon stating that she had been a pioneer in the emancipation of women from matters of a purely domestic nature and highlighted the impact this would have on the future of women in Wales.
“A Great light has been extinguished” - these were the words used by Councillor Wm Williams, the Mayor in Office at the time of her death. By her example, Gwenllian Elizabeth Fanny Morgan widened the horizons of women all over the world. “In the course of her dedicated life, she lit and tended many lamps but no flame burnt brighter in her heart than her love of Breconshire and its people” - Elsie Pritchard.
Gwenllian Morgan died on 7th November 1939 at aged 87. Her ashes are buried along with her sister Nellie in Penpont churchyard next to the grave of her parents as per her wishes.
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Images included in the Story:
1. Plaque on Buckingham Place
2.Painting by Isaac Cooke, Depicting Gwenllian as the Coronation Mayor, Original Oil
3. National Portrait Gallery Photograph taken by Cyril Flower. Cyril Flower represented the Borough of Brecon in the House of Commons from 1880 – 85.
References:
1. Welsh Journal titled “Brycheiniog” Volume 12, 1966/67. Online Journal Published by The National Library of Wales. Pg 93 – 111. Gwenllian Fanny Elizabeth Morgan by Elsie Pritchard.
2. https://biography.wales/article/s-MORG-FAN-1852
3. Book, Thumbnail Sketches of White Ribbon Women edited by Clara Chapin pg.18/19
4. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp98120/gwenllian-elizabeth-fanny-morgan
5. http://worldcat.org/identities/np-morgan,%20gwenllian%20elizabeth%20fanny/
6. Brecon Local & Family History Society (BLFHS) Newsletter 80 – September 2018
8. https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/society/women_politics.shtm